Wire-stitching machine



Dec. 15, 1942. a H, HARRED 2,305,419

WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. H. HARREDWIRE STITCHING MACHINE Dec. 15, 1942.

Filed Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 1942. e. H. HARRED WIRE STITCHINGMACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet. 3

lllllllll -lllal I ll Dec. 15, 1942.

G. H. HARRED WIRE STITQHING MACHiNE Filed Sept; 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 4Q v E l l Mg Dec. 15, 1942. G. H. HARRED WIRE STITCHING MACHINE FiledSept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 15, 19 2- G. H. HARRED 2,305,419

WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 15,1942. HARRED WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Fild Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 7ozyvjllfarrad 1942. G. H. HARRED WIRE STITCHING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed Sept. 9, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 G. H. HARRED WIRE STITCHING'MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 Dec. 15, 1942.

@azyelflarred Patented Dec. 15, 1942 2,305,419

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE-STITCHING MACIHNE George H. Harred,East Greenwich, .12.. L, as-

signor to Boston Wire Stitcher Company, Portland, Maine, a corporationof Maine v Application September 9, 1942, Serial No. 457,704

37 Claims. (01. 1--11) The present invention relates to wire-stitchinmachines for stitching the seams of boxes and cartons and moreparticularly to improvements in wire-stitching machines of the typillustrated and described in my copending application for 5 typeindicated inwhich a single set of feed rolls United States LettersPatent, Serial No. 392,928, are adapted to feed the work into and outfrom filed May 10, 1941. the machine at high speed and .to step-feed theThe machine illustrated and described in my work during the stitchingoperation. prior application, referred to above, embodies a Anotherobject is to provide a machine of the single set of feed-rolls which areadapted to be 1 type indicated which is operable automatically drivenalternately by continuously operating high to apply a predeterminednumber of stitches to speed driving means and intermittently operattheWork duringastitchingoperation." ing step-feed driving means; Thefeed-rolls when Another object is to provide a machine of the driven bythe high speed driving means are adapttype indicated having a gaugeadapted to be ed to feed a cartonblank against the depending l operatedby a carton-blank inserted intothe magate of a gauge which operates todisconnect the chine closely adjacent the cartoneb lank L beingfeed-rolls from the continuously operating. high stitched. A H speeddriving means, -connect the feed-rolls to Another object is to provide agauge of the be driven by the intermittently operating driving typeindicated whichis operated by the work for means and initiate theoperation of the wireinitiating the disconnection of the continuouslystitching means for stitching together the folded operating drivingmeansfrom the feed-rolls and sides of the carton-blank.. Theintermittently opthe connection, of the intermittently operating eratingfeed-rolls then function to step-feed the driving means therewith tostep-feed the work carton-blank to cause the stitches to be appliedbetween stitches. k in spaced relationship by the wire-stitching Anotherobject is to provide a gauge of the means. After the first stitch isapplied the depending gate of the gauge is released to permit it topivot so that the carton-blank may pass thereunder. The wire-stitchingmeans continues thereto manually and which thereafter operates tooperate until a predetermined number of stitches have been applied, atwhich time a suitable control means operates to arrest the stitchingoperation, disconnect the feed-rolls from the intermittently operatingdriving means and connect the feed-rolls to be driven by thecontinuously operating driving means. The continuously operatedfeed-rolls then act to discharge the stitched carton from the machineand feed another carton-blank against the depending gate of the gauge.

Such machines have been used extensively and are quite satisfactory formost purposes. With certain types of light-weight carton-blanks,however, the forward edges of the blanks are sometimes crushed as theyare forced against the depending gate of the gauge. With carton-blankswhich are particularly easy to handle it is possible to feed a secondcarton-blank so close the blank being stitched that the pivoted gate ofthe gauge is not permitted to swing back to vertical cated in whichcartons are folded and applied automatically to feed, stitch anddischarge cartons from the machine. Another object is to provideamachine of the the type indicated which is operable to initiate thewire-stitching operation after theintermittently operating driving meanshas been connected to the feed-rolls.

Another object is to provide a gauge of the type indicated which is.adjustable to accommodate carton-blanks of different sizes and shapes.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with meansautomatically operable after the-initiation of .the operation of thewirestitching means to holdthe feed-rolls connected to theintermittently operating driving means and withdraw the gauge from thepath of movement of the work. e

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with astripper to prevent the work from moving with the gauge as the latter iswithdrawn.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated withopposed feed-rolls which nor.- mally are spaced so as to-grip the worklightlyto feed it to the wire-stitching means and movable toward eachother'to grip the work more tightgrip the work;

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated with meansadjustable to square the, folded sides of a carton-blank with the, bodyportion thereof. 7 v

Still another object is to provide a machine. of the type indicatedwhichis of comparatively simple. construction, substantially fool-proof,in operation and adapted to stitch cartons at a high rate of speed.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in thefollowingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction.of. the machine,

by way of example; as illustrated by. the accom panying drawings. In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of. a wirestitching machineincorporating the novel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing theintermittently operating meansfor driving the feed-rolls andthe controlmeans for the wire-stitching means;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view showing the a manually adjustablecontrol means for arresting the stitching operation after apredetermined number of stitches have been. applied;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the means for starting andstopping the wire-stitching operation;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of the machine showing the rock-shaftoperated by the wirestitching means for conditioning the feed-rolls fora stitching operation;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 1 showing a:carton blankbeing fed by the feed-rolls toward the depending abutment ofthe gauge;

Fig. 9 showing the clutch switch held closed by the rock-shaft to retainthe feed-rolls connected to the intermittently operating driving means;

Fig. 14 (sheet 2) is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuitscontrolled by the switches;

i Fig. 15 is an end. elevational view showing the spaced relationship ofthe feed-rolls prior to the operation of the wire-stitching means;

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 15 showing the rock-shaftv actuated bythe operation of the wirestitching means to move the feed-rolls towardeach other to tightly grip the work;

Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of the opposite. end of the machineshowing the brake for the feed-rolls and the arm onthe rock-shaft foractuating'the brake; g 4

Fig. 18 is a detailed sectional view of one ofthe lower feed-rollsshowing the means, for clamping it to the drive-shaft or releasing itfor rotation relative thereto;

Fig. 19 is a reduced plan view of a. carton-blank shown as being fedinto the machine and illustrating one abnormal relationship of thefolded sides of the blank with respect to its body portion;

Fig. 20 is a reduce detailed side elevational view of the carton-blankillustrated in Fig. 19 showing the relationship of the cooperatingfeedrolls;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the manner in which thefolded sides of the cartonblank are squared with its body portion;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 20 indicating the increment of.rotation of the upper rolls relative to the lower rolls;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing another abnormalrelationship of the folded sides ofj'the blank with respect to its bodyportion;

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 20 showingthe relationship of thecooperating feed-rolls for feeding the blank;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 21 showing the manner in which thefolded sides of the cartonblank are squared with its body portion; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 6

showing the stripper-block for stripping the work from theabutment-plate when the latter is withdrawn;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6

showing the carton-blank engaged with the abutment-plate of the gaugeand. the sliding support actuated to close the; switches of theelectrical circuits for starting a stitching operation;-

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the relationship of the partsduring a stitching operation and illustrating the rock-shaft operated tohold the clutch switch closed, withdraw the gauge from engagement withthe work and move the spaced feed-rolls toward each, other to tightlyFig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the stitched carton beingdischarged from the machine and the gauge resting on the tail end of thestitched carton in position to be engaged by a carton-blank being fedinto the machine;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line I l-I I of Fig. 6 showing theswitches adapted to be operated in timed sequence by the movement of thegauge;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line i2-I2 of Fig. 8 showing bothswitches closed;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line l3--|3 of Fig. 26 is a view similarto Fig. 24 indicating the increment of rotation of the lower rollrelative to the upper roll.

General organisation In accordance with the present invention aprime-mover which may take the form of any suitable driving meansoperates continuously and, through appropriate connections, drives theopposed rolls for feeding the work. The feed-rolls when driven from theprime-mover advance a carton-blank into the machine and carry it againstthe depending abutment of a freely movable gauge which offers negligibleresistance to the movement of the blank. The feed-rolls are normallyspaced so as to grip the work lightly as it is fed into engagement withthe depending abutment of the gauge to permitslippage between thecarton-blank and the feed-rolls whereby to prevent jamming or scuflingof the cartonblank. The first movement of the gauge acts to operate aswitch in an electric circuit to energize an electromagnet which,through suitable operating means, instantaneously actuates clutchmeansto disconnect the feed-rolls from the continuously operating prime-moverand to connect them to an intermittently operating driving means drivenfrom the wire-stitching means.

Upon operation of the clutch-means thespeed of the work-feeding means israpidly decelerated due to the inertia of the intermittently operatingdriving means. The work and work-gauge, however, continues to advanceslightly due to momentum and just before the carton-blank comes to restthe gauge operates a second switch in a circuit which energizes anelectromagnet connected to operate a second clutch-means for couplingthe wire-stitching means to the prime-mover. The switch-operatinggmeanson the gauge are adjustable, one with respect to the other, to providethe proper time interval between the disconnection of the continuouslyoperating driving means from the feed-rolls and the connection of thewire-stitching means with the primemover to cause the feeding of thework to be ar rested before a wire-stitching operation is startedwhereby to properly position the work to be stitched.

A rock-shaft is actuated by the operation of the wire-stitching meansand caused to act through an arm to engage the switch in the circuitfor' operating the first mentioned clutchmeans and retain. it closed tohold the work.- feeding means connected to the intermittently operatingdriving means. Simultaneously therewith the rock-shaft operates througha crankarm to withdraw the depending abutment of the gauge out of thepath of movement of the cartonblank, a suitable stripper being providedto prevent the work from moving with the abutment when the latter iswithdrawn. The rock-shaft also operates through suitable connectingmeans to move the lower feed-rolls toward the upper rolls to tightlygrip the work therebetween and to. apply a brake to the feed-rolls toprevent unwarranted movement thereof. A latch or detentmeans operatesautomatically uponactuation of the rock-shaft by the wire-stitchingmeans to hold it in rocked position during a stitching operation. h

'W-hen'connected to the prime-mover the wire stitching means and thework-feeding means driven intermittently therefrom operate in timedrelation. to alternately apply stitches and advance the work to stitchthe seam of the carton-blank.

shaft. Upon release of the rock-shaft a suitable spring operates toreturn it to initial position to release the switch in the circuit forthe first-mentioned clutch-means. Suitable operating means then actuatethe clutch-means to simultaneously disconnect the intermittentlyoperating driving means from the feed-rolls and connect the continuouslyoperating .driving means theretoto discharge the stitched carton fromthe machine at a high rate of speed. The depending abutment of the gaugeis released by the return movement of therock-shaft and the gaugedescends by gravity to ride on the tail end of the stitched carton-blankin position to be engaged by the forward edge of the next carton-blank,to. be stitched. The lower rolls of the work-feed- )ing means also moveinto their. normal spaced "relationship to receivet'he next carton-blankto :be stitched and feed it'into engagement with the depending abutmentof, thegate. The'brakefor the feed-rolls also is released to permit thefeedrolls to rotate freely. Upon release of the control means for thewire-stitching means a clockspring operates to return the same toinitial position. At the end of the return movement of the controlmeans'an arm thereon actuates the switch to deenergize the circuit forthe stopping means. The arms on the control means are relativelyadjustable whereby to adapt them to actuate the switch in the stoppingcircuit after any predetermined number of stitches have been applied.

The present invention also provides for loosening the lower feed-rollsto square the forward edges of the folded side with the body portion ofthe blank to be stitched.

Wire-stitching means and drive therefor The wire-stitching machine towhich the improvements of the present invention are applied is generallysimilar to that illustrated anddescribed in my copending application,Serial No. 392,928, referred to above. Suffice it to state herein thatthe machine comprises a main frame having a pedestal 2 with ahorizontally projecting arm 3 at its upper end, see Fig. 1. Below thearm 3 is a work-table 4' supported by brackets 5 mounted on an I-beam 6which projects laterally from the pedestal 2, the other end of the Ibeam being supported by a post 1. Projecting laterally from the pedestal2 at the side'opposite the table 4 is a platform or shelf 8. Mounted onthe platform 3 are four bearing brackets 9, I0, 4 I and I2 carryingbearings in which the rotating shafts of the machine are journaled, seeFig. 1. A wire-stitching head I5 is mounted at the end of thehorizontally extending arm 3 for operation by adrive-shaft l6 extendingthrough the arm and projecting beyond the pedestal 2 above the shelf 8.The wire-stitching head [5 may be of any suitable construction and, asherein illustrated, is of a type shown and described in United StatesLetters Patent No. 1,760,031, issued May 27, 1930, to H. G. Allen. Inthe operation of this type of Wire-stitching head, during the first halfrevolution of the drive-shaft 16 a length of wire is cut from thesupply, bent into a U-shaped staple, driven-into the work and clinchedon the under side thereof; and during the second half revolution of thedrive-shaft IS the parts of the stitching head are returned to initialposition and another length of wire is fed into the head. A fly-wheel I1is mounted for rotation on the projecting right-hand end of thedrive-shaft I6, as viewed in Fig. 1, and continuously driven by a beltl8 from a suitable prime-mover, herein illustrated as an electric motor[9. A clutch 20 is provided adjacent the fly-wheel ll, see Figs. 1 and4, for connecting the latter to the driveshaft l6 for the wire-stitchinghead l5. Depending from the stitching head I5 is a combined flap guideand clinching anvil 2! of usual construction.

. Work-feeding means and drive therefor The work, usually in-the form ofa cartonblank W, shown in section in Fig. 6, is fed either continuouslyor intermittently in timed relation to the operation of thewire-stitching head [5 bymeans of spaced pairs of cooperating feedrolls24 and 25, see Fig. l. The upper feed-rolls '24 are mounted on a shaft26 journaled in suitablebearings 21 depending from the head l5 and arm3. As shownin Fig. 1, the shaft 26 has a spline 28 extending throughoutits length and a key 29 is provided for each feed-roll 24 forcooperation with the spline28 to connect the feed-rolls for rotationwith the shaft. The feedrolls 24 are thus rendered adjustable toward andaway from each other on the shaft 26 and may be fixed to the shaft inany adjustable position by means of set-screws 39 in the hubs of therolls adapted to be tightened against the keys 2% to bind them to theshaft. As illustrated in Fig; 1, both ends of the shaft 28projectoutwardly beyond the spaced bearings 2'! depending from the stitchinghead.

The lower feed-rolls are mounted on a shaft journaled in yieldablebearings 32 at the ends of arms 53 and 34, see Figs. 5 and 6. Theopposite ends of the arms 83 and 34 are pinned fast on a rock-shaft 35,see Figs. 5 and 15, which extends throughout the length of the machineand is journaled in the bearings carried. by the bracket. H on the shelf8 and the brackets 38 and. 3'! supported on the I-beam 6, see Fig. 1.

The. arms 38 and 34 thus constitute a rockable cradle for supporting thelower feed-rolls 25. The rock-shaft 35 is rocked in counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 15, by means of a spring 38 connected to acrank-arm 38 depending from the rock-shaft and anchored to a stud 48 onthe machine frame to normally maintain the lower feed-rolls 25 spacedfrom the upper feedrolls 24 so as to cause them to take a relativelylight grip on the work as it is fed into the machine or dischargedtherefrom. The rocking movement of the rock-shaft 85 by the spring 38 islimited by the engagement of an arm 44 depending from the rock-shaftwith the end of an adjustable abutment Q5. ment E5 is in the form of ascrew rotatable in .a tapped hole in. the web of the bearing bracket Hand provided with a handle 48 at one end. for turning it to adjust theposition of its end engaged by the depending arm 54 and thereby therelative position of the lower feed-rolls 25 with respect to the upperfeed-rolls 24, see Fig. 15. Preferably, the screw 45 has longitudinallyextending splines 32 in its sides for receiving a spring-pressed lockingpin 43 to hold the screw from turning after its adjustment.

As shown in Fig. 18, each of the lower feedrolls 25 is mounted fast onone end of a split sleeve 4! having a binding screw 48 for tightlyclamping the sleeve to the shaft 3| for rotation F therewith in certaininstances. In other instances the feed-rolls 25 may be released torotate on the shaft 3| for a purpose as later explained by loosening thescrew 48. The lower feed-rolls 25 are retained in adjusted position onthe shaft 3| by means of collars 49 which abut the ends of the sleeves41.

The shaft 26 carrying the upper feed-rolls 24 is adapted to be driven bycontinuously operating drivin means connected to the prime-mover l8.Connected to the inner end of the shaft 26 and axially alined therewithis a shaft 50, see Fig. 1, journaled in a bearing 5| depending from abracket 52 attached to the arm 3 of the machine frame. The continuouslyoperating driving means comprises a countershaft 53, see Fig. 4, drivenfrom the fly-wheel I! by means of a chain 54 and suitable sprockets 54'.The countershaft 53, in turn, drives a clutch-member 55 loosely mountedon the ends of the shafts 26 and 58 by means of a chain 56 and sprockets56', see Figs. 1 and 1.7. A cooperating slidable clutchmember 51 iskeyed to the. shaft and between it and the clutch member are a pluralityof The adjustable abutesch w yieldingly pressed toward the clutch-member55 by means of ai-spring 59 to force the disks into frictionalengagement. Thus, the. rotation of the fly-wheel. I] will betransmitted, through the chain 54, shaft 53, chain 56, clutch-member 55,disks 58 and clutch-member 51 to rotate. the shafts 50 and 26 andfeed-rolls 24. The rotation of the. shaft is also transmitted. to ashaft 62 journaled in the bearing bracket 9 through auniversally-jointed coupling rod 63, shown in Fig. l-. The shaft 3|mounting the lower feed-rolls. 25 is connected. to a shaft 64 journaledin bearings. in the bracket9 by means of a universally-jointed couplingrod 65. The shafts 62 and 64 carry intermeshing gears 66 and fil'wherebythe. rotation of the shaft 50 causes rotation of the shaft 3| torotatethe lower feed-rolls 25 in synchronism with the'upper feed-rolls'24 whereof to advance the work W with a continuous movement.

The shafts 26 and 3| are also adap'ted'to be driven by intermittentlyoperating means to stepfeed the work during a stitching operation. Theintermittently operating driving means receives motion from thedrive-shaft l6 for the wirestitching head |5 through connectionscomprising an eccentric 10 on the shaft l6 which actuates a pitman H,see Figs. 1 and. 2. The opposite end of the pitman H is pivotallyconnected to the spaced crank-arms 12 and 13 of an oscillated member 14rockably mounted on. a control shaft 15. A second oscillating member 16mounted on the hub of the oscillating member 14 between the crank-arms12 and 13 is adapted to be connectedv for movement therewith by arockable key 11, see Fig 2. The key I! is adapted to be actuated by camsor the like on the control shaft 15, not herein shown, to cause theoscillating member 16 to be operated from the oscillating member 14 witha lost motion to produce a. tiestitch at the beginning and end of a rowof stitches in the manner illustrated and described in detail in myprior application previously referred to. A crank-arm 88 projecting fromthe oscillating member I6 is connected to the crankarm 8| of a one-wayclutch 82 by means of a link 83. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the crank-arm8| has a radial slot 84 which provides for adjusting its. point ofconnection with the link 83 to vary its effective length and range ofarcuate movement when driven by the crank-arm 88 whereby to vary thespacing between stitches.

The crank-arm 8| of the one-way clutch 82 is integral with a centralhub-member 85 which is arranged. to oscillate in a housing member 86fast on a shaft 81. Rollers 88 in wedge-shaped recesses 89 in theoscillating hub 85 permit relative movement of the hub with respect tothe housing 86 in. counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2; therollers being engaged frictionally with the rim of. the housing 86, toconnect the parts for movement as a unit when the hub is moved inclockwise. direction. Preferably, a brake-band 90 is providedsurrounding the housing 86 to prevent uncontrolled movement thereof.

The shaft 81 is journaled in the bearings of brackets II and |2supported on the shelf or platform 8 and extends in axial alinement withthe shaft 64, previously-referred to. The shafts 64 and 81 are arrangedto be connected by a clutch comprising a clutch-member 9| mounted faston the end of the shaft 64 and a clutchmember 92 splined to the shaft 81and movable axially thereof for cooperation with. the clutchmember 9I.When the clutch-member 92 is.en--

gaged with the clutch-member 9I theshaft 64 will be rotated from theshaft 8'! and through the universally jointedcoupling rod 65 will rotatethe shaft 3| mounting the lower feedrolls,

25. Rotation of the shaft 64 is also transmitted ed. Thus, the upper andlower feed-rolls 24 and 25 may be rotated in synchronism from theintermittently operating driving means.

The clutch-members 51 and 92 are arranged to be operated simultaneouslyby the armature 94 of an electromagnet 95 to disconnect the feedrolls 24and 25 from thecontinuouslyoperating driving means and connect thefeed-rolls to be driven from the intermittently operating driving means.Referring to Fig. 1, the electromagnet 95, see Fig. 14, is contained inacasing, 96 on the foot of the bracket 9 and its armature 94 is connectedby a link 91 to one end of a lever 98 pivotally mounted on a stud 99projecting from the bearing bracket 52. The opposite end of the lever 98is connected by a link I to one arm IOI of a shifting fork I02 in theform of a bell-crank lever. The shifting fork I02 straddles theclutch-member 51 and has pins and shoes engaging a peripheral groove I03in the clutch-member.

A connecting rod I04 has a clevis at one end connected to one arm of thebell-crank shifting fork I02 and an adjustableclevis at its opposite endpivotally connected to the end of a lever I05 mounted to oscillatefreely on a rock-shaft I06, see Fig. 1. The clevis connected to thelever I05 has a bar I0I attached to its side by a pin I08 extendingthrough the bar, clevis and lever, with a bearing roller I09 rotatablymountedon the laterally extending end of the pin. A shifting fork IIOmounted fast on the rock-shaft I06 has pins and shoes which engage in aperipheral groove IIIin the clutch-member 92. The rockshaft. I06 alsohas a crank-arm II2 mounted fast thereon with an adjustable set-screw H3feed-rolls 24 are mounted, see also Figs. 5 and 17' in which the partsare viewed from the opposite direction. The brake I20 comprises a drumI2I on the end of the shaft 26 and a flexible brake-band I22 attached atone end to a stud I23 projecting from the bearing 21. The flexiblebrake-band is wrapped around the periphcry of the drum I2I with itsopposite end fastened to a reel I24 loosely mounted on a stud vI25projecting from the bearing bracket 21. An

operating arm I26 attached at the side of the reel I24 isadapted torotate the latter to tighten the brake-band I22 on the drum. I2I in amanner later to be explained.

for the wire-stitching head I5 by means of the clutch 20. The clutch 20is of substantially the 'same construction as that illustrated and described "in United States Letters Patent No. 1,495,342, issued May 27;1924, to A. H. Maynard.

the latch-element I36 is clamped to a rockable adjacent its end forengagement with the roller" I99.v A spring II4 connects the bar I01 andthe arm M2 for yieldingly holding the set-screw II3 movement of theshifting fork I02 is transmit-' ted through the connecting rod I04 andshifting fork III] to engage the clutch-member 92 with the clutch-member9| to'cause thefeed-rolls to be driven by the intermittently operatingmeans. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet .95 the spring 59 on theshaft 50, acting between the bearing 5i and the clutch-member 51,

will force the latter toward the clutch-member.

to bind the friction disks 58 therebetween. Motion of the clutch-member51 will be transmitted through the connecting rod I04 tomove the rollerI09 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, to positively'rock the armII2,' rock-shaft I06 and shifting fork Hi) to disengage the clutchmember92 rom'the clutch-member 9I.

In accordance with the present invention a brake I20, see Fig.1, isprovided at the lefthand end of. the shaft 26 onwhich the upper Sufficeit to state herein that the clutch is normally held inoperative ordisconnected by a stoppin I29, see Fig. 4, projected into an opening inthe clutch by means of a spring I30 and is operative to couple thefly-wheel H to the shaft I6 when the pin is withdrawn against the actionof the spring. The pin I29 is Withdrawn by meansof a double bell-cranklever I3I having one arm projecting into a peripheral groove I32 in thepin and another arm projecting at rightangles thereto. The bell-cranklever I3I is arranged to be actuated by an electromagnet I33 having itsarmature I34 connected thereto by a-link I35. When the electromagnet I33is energized its armature I34 operates through the link I35 andbell-crank lever I3I to withdraw ,thepin I29 against the action of thespring I30 to couple the fiy-wheel H to the drive-shaft I6.

Alatching element I36 operates automatically to engage a. pin I3'I.carried by the link I35 to retain the clutch-control pin I30 retractedduring a stitching operation. As shown in Fig. '4,

frame I39 having hubs I33 loosely mounted on the shaft 53 of thecontinuously operating means for driving the feed-rolls 24 and 25. Ahelical 1 spring I40, see Fig. 15, is connected to the frame I39 forrocking it and the latch-member I35 mounted thereon to engage the latterwith the pin I3'I on the link I35 after the electromagnet I33 isenergized. The frame,l39 has an adjustable abutment in the form of aset-screw I4I for engagement by stopping means, later to be described,for rocking the frame and latch-member I36 to release the pin I31whereby the spring I30 will project the pin I29 into the clutch 20,

see Fig. 4, to arrest a stitching operation.

Work-operated gauge The energization of the electromagnets and I33 iscontrolled by a work-operated gauge I42 shown in detail in Figs. 5 to13. ,The work- "operated gauge I42 is'generally similar to the gaugeillustrated and described in my copending application referred to above.Suffice it to state herein that the gauge I42 comprises an upperhorizontal plate I43 supported from a vertical plate I4 depending fromthe side of the wirestitching head I5 and an arm I44 attached to theplate I4, see Fig. 6.. Slidably mounted on the under side of thehorizontal plate I43is a plate I45 having studs I46 at either endprojectingthrough elongated slots in the stationary plate with washersI48 overlying the top face of the latter under the heads of the studs,the above described construction being set forth more fully in myapplication referred to hereinbefore.

Surmounting the stationary plate I43 is a switch-block I49 embodying twoseparate switches I50 and II, see Fig. 11. The switches I50 and I5I maybe of any suitable type and, as herein illustrated, each switchcomprises a pair of spaced contacts I52 and I53 adapted to be bridged bya metallic ring I54 carried by a plunger I55. A spring I56 acting betwenthe block I49 and the plunger I55 of each switch I50 or I5I tends tomove the latter to disengage the metallic bridgeelement I54 from thespaced contacts I52 and I53.

The operator for the switches I56 and I5I comprises a post I60 havingits base mounted on the upper ends of studs I6I secured in the slidingplate I45 and projecting upwardly through elongated slots in thestationary plate I43. The post I66 carries adjustable abutments in theform of screws I62 and I63 adapted 'toengage the ends of the plungersI55 of the switches I50 and I5I. The abutment I62 is shown as adjustedto a position forwardly of the abutment I63 to adapt it to engage andoperate the plunger I55 of the switch I50 prior to the engagement of theabutment I63 with the plunger of the switch I5I.

By reference to the electrical circuit indicated diagrammatically inFig. "14 it will be noted that the switch I50 controls the 'energizationof the electromagnet, 95 for operating the clutch-members 51 and 92 touncoupled the continuously operating driving means for the work-feedingmeans and couple the intermittently operating driving means thereto. Theswitch I5I controls the energization of the electromagnet I 33 forwithdrawing the pin I29 from the clutch 20, see Fig. 4, to couple thefly-wheel I1 to the drive-shaft I6. It will be observed by reference toFig. 6 that the slidable plate I45 of the gauge I42 is yieldingly urgedtoward the right by means of a relatively light "spring I64 which offerslittle resistance to movement in the opposite direction. As thus fardescribed the work-operated gauge is substantially identical with thatillustrated and described in my prior application referred to above.

In accordance with the present invention an intermediate operatingmember I65 for the switch I56 is provided between the abutment I62 andthe plunger I55, being arranged for operation by the gauge I42 to closethe switch and to be engaged thereafter by operating means describedhereinafte'n'to hold the switch closed independently of the gauge. Theintermediate member I65 is in the form of a lever pivotally mountedbetween its ends on a stud I66 carried by a bracket I61 fastened to theside of the switchblock I49. The lever I65 is arranged to rock incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, under the action of ahelical spring I68 connected between the member and a stud I69 on thearm I44. Projecting laterally from the upper end of the intermediatemember or lever I65 is an arm I having its upper edge beveled to providea cam-face I'II.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the gauge I42 is provided with a novel form ofwork-operated abutment which is movable substantially vertically intoposition to be engaged by the forward end of a carton-blank W fedthereagainst by the feedrolls '24 and 25. The abutment I14 "is in theform of a plate debhd'ingfrbhr a 'frafn'e I I5 'c'orn'pris'ing spacedparallel arm's I16 and I11, see Fig. 5,

and is of suitable dimensions to adapt it to engage the forward edges ofthe folded sides and body-portion of practically any type ofcartonblank. The abutment I14 is mounted for adjustment on the frame I15by means of brackets I18 slidable along the arms I16 and I11. Thebrackets I18 comprise flat plates I19 to which the abutment I14 isattached by means of screws I86, see Fig. 7, and arms which extendrearwardly and upwardly from the abutment, the ends of the arms beingbifurcated to embrace the sides of the arms I16 and I11 of the frameI15. A top plate I8I is attached to the bifurcated ends'of each bracketI18 by means of a screw I82, see Fig. '7, to overlie the top of the armI16 or I11 of the frame I15 to support the brackets thereon. Thebrackets I18 thus are adapted to be slid along the arms I16 and I11 ofthe frame I15 and locked in any adjusted position by means of setscrewsI83 in the arms engaging intermediate blocks I84 to clamp them againstthe side of the arms.

The rearward end of the frame I15 is hingedly mounted on the slidingplate I45 of the gauge I42 by means of a pivot-pint, I85 which extendsthrough the ends of the arms I16 and I11 and spaced ears I86 dependingfrom the plate. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 7 that the armsI16 and I11 of the frame I15 are spaced apart a distance greater thanthe width of the plates I43 and I45 of the gauge so that the frame isfree to rock on the pivot-pin I85. Due to the considerable length of theframe I 15 the rocking movement about its pivot-pin I85 will cause theabutment-plate I14 to move in a substantially vertical plane.

When a carton-blank W is fed forwardly by the feed-rolls 24 and 25 toengage its end against the abutment I14 the latter will act through theframe I15 to slide th'e'plate I 45 and thereby close the switches I50and I5I in timed sequence. After the switches have been closed toinitiate the operation of the wire-stitching head I5 the abutment plateI 14 is withdrawn vertically to permit the work to pass thereunder. Toprevent the forward end of the carton blank W from rising verticallywith the abutment I14 a stripper I81 is provided for cooperation withthe abut- -ment, see Figs. 6 and '1. The stripper I81 is in the form ofan angular block having an inclined guide I88 projecting from itsforward end for directing the forward edge of the carton-blankdownwardly to insure its engagement with the abutment-plate I14. The topface of the stripper-block I'81 is provided with a guideway I89 whichembraces the sides of a bracket I90 attached to the under side of thesliding plate I45 of the gauge to adapt the stripper to slidetherealong, see Figs. 6 and 7. Intermediate its ends the stripper I81has a slot 'I9I for receiving the abutment-plate I14 as it is raised outof the path of movement of the carton-blank W. The slot I9I of thestripper I81 is of a depth slightly greater than the height of theabutment-plate I14 so that the bottom of the stripper will hold thecarton-blank W 'while the abutment-plate is being raised into the slot.The upper edge of the abutment-plate I14, however, is always positionedwithin the slot 90 in the stripper-block I81 so that the latter will bemoved with the abutment-plate during its adjustment along the frame thatshown in Fig. 9 by means of a rockable arm I94 which is fast on arock-shaft 200 and actuated in a manner to be described later. The armI94 is bifurcated at its end, see Fig. 5, to adapt it to straddle theupper end of a link I95 and the link, in turn, is forked at its lowerend to position its ends adjacent the spaced arms I16 and I11 of theframe I15. A pin I96 extending between the bifurcations of the arm I94and through an elongated slot I91 in the link I95 connects the arm andlink and the lower forked end of the link is connected to the arms I16and I11 of the frame I15 by means of bolts I98. A

spring I99 is connected between the arm I94 and arm I16 of the frame I15to counterbalance the weight of the frame to cause the abutment I14 tonormally engage the upper side of the table 4 on which the work issupported.

Control means for the work-feeding means As explained above, the gaugeI42 is operated by the movement of the carton-blank W to be stitched toefiect the disconnection of the continuously operating driving meansfrom the workfeed rolls 24 and 25 and the connection of the feed-rollsto be driven by the intermittently operating means and to initiate theoperation of the wire-stitching head I5. In accordance with the presentinvention, operation of the wire-stitching head I5 actuates therock-shaft 200, Figs. 5, 6 and 15, for conditioning the feed-rolls 24and 25 for a stitching operation; taking over the control of the switchI50 to maintain the feed-rolls con-,

nected to the intermittently operating driving means and withdrawing theabutment I14 of the gauge I42 from the path of movement of thecarton-blank to be stitched. Referring to Fig. 5, the rock-shaft 200extends throughout substantially the whole length of the machine at therearward side thereof and is journaled at one end in a bearing on thebracket I2 supported from the platform and at its opposite end is spacedbearings 203 which depend from the wire-stitching head I5. A crank-arm204 pinned to the lefthand end of the rock-shaft 200 as viewed in Fig.5, extends forwardly and has a follower-roller 265 mounted betweenbifurcations at its end underlying the drive-shaft I6 for thewire-stitching head I5, see Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in Figs. 1 and 15 aspiral cam 206 is pinned to the righthand end of the drive-shaft I6, asviewed in Fig. 1, and arranged to cooperate with the followerroller 205on the crank-arm 204. The follower-roller 205 is yieldingly held inengagement with the spiral cam 206 by a spring 201 connected at one endto the crank-arm with its opposite end anchored to a stud 208 on thebearing bracket I 2. The spiral cam 206 is so shaped in profile thatduring the first 90 of rotation of the drive-shaft I6 the crank arm 204will be rocked from the position illustrated in Fig. 15 to thatillustrated in Fig. 16 to turn the rock-shaft 200.

Upon turning of the rock-shaft 200 a latchmember 209 mounted on theshaft 53 of the continuously operating driving means is rocked by aspring 2I0anchored to the bracket II, see Figs. 15 and 16, to engage itsdetent-shoulder 2 with the shoulder 2I2 of a latch-member 2I3 carried byan arm 214 pinned fast to the rock-shaft 200, see Fig. 5. Thelatch-member M3 is attached to the side of the arm 2I4 by means ofscrews 2I5, see Fig. 15, extending through a slot 2I6 in the latch. Thelatch 2I3 thus may be adjusted on the arm 2I4 by loosening the screws 2I and turning a set-screw 2" to raise or lower the detentshoulder 2I2with respect to the detent-shoulder 2 of the latch-member 209. Thus thelatchmember 209 is operated automatically by the spring 2I0 to latch thecrank-arm 204 in the rocked position to which it is operated by thespiral cam 206. The latch-member 209 is provided with a depending arm2I8 having an adjustable abutment 2 I9 in the form of a set-screw whichoverlies a flange 220 on the rockable frame I39, previously referred toin the description of the starting means.

The crank-arm 204 has an offset lug 22I at the opposite side of therock-shaft 200 from the follower-roller 205 which mounts an adjustableabutment 222 in the form of a set-screw. Ad-

jacent the hub of the crank-arm 204 is a lever 223 mounted-for rockingmovement on the rockshaft 200. Upon turning movement of the rockshaft209 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 15, the adjustableabutment 222 will engage the upper end of the lever 223 and rock it fromthe position shown in Fig. 15 to that shown in Fig. 16. The opposite endof the lever 223 is connected to the end of a crank-arm 224 on the shaft35 by means of a link 225. The crank-arm 224 is fast on the shaft 35which carries the arms 34 of the cradle for mounting the lower pair offeed-rolls 25 so that the initial rotation of the drive-shaft I6 for thestitching head I5 operates through the connecting linkage abovedescribed to move the lower pair of feed-rolls 25 toward the upper pairof feed-rolls 24 to grip the work firmly therebetween.

Immediately upon turning of the rock-shaft 266 by the drive-shaft I6 forthe Wire-stitching head I5 an arm 228 pinned to the rock-shaft is movedfrom the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 9. The free endof the arm 228 is beveled as indicated by the reference character 229 toadapt it to engage the cam-face I1I at the upper end of the lever I65.Thus, the arm 228 will act to hold the lever I65 in position to retainthe switch I50 closed. Consequently, the electromagnet controlled by theswitch I50 will be maintained energized to hold the intermittentlyoperating means connected to drive the feed-rolls 24 and 25. In otherwords, the rockshaft 200 will take over the control of the switch I50immediately upon operation of the wirestitching head I5 to permit theabutment-plate I14 of the gauge I12 to be withdrawn from the path ofmovement of the carton-blank W being operated upon.

The crank-arm I94, previously referred to, is also mounted fast on theshaft 260, see Figs. 5 and 9, and adapted to be operated by the initialrotation of the drive-shaft I6 for the stitching head I5 to raise theabutment I14 cf the gauge I42. It will be noted byreferenee to Fig. 6,however, that the pin I96 is movable in the slot I91 in the link I95 todelay the raising of the abutment-plate I14 until the arm 228 has beenmoved into engagement with the lever I65 to retain the switch I50 in itsclosed position. When the abutment-plate I14 is withdrawn from the pathof movement of the carton-blank W the frame I15 and plate I14 of thegauge I12 will be released and moved to the right by the spring I64 toshift it from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9whereby to release the plungers I55 of the switches I50 and I5I; theplunger I55 of the switch I 50 thereafter being held by the lever. I65and arm 228 to maintain the switch closed.

The rock-shaft 200 also. operates to tighten the brake-band I22 on thebrake-drum I2I at the end of the shaft 26 mounting the upperfeedrolls24. As shown in Figs. and 17, an arm 230 fast on the rock-shaft 266projects forwardly therefrom to overlie the actuating arm I26 of thebrake-applying means. An adjustable abutment 2H in the form of aset-screw is engageable with the free end of the actuating arm I26 tomove the latter from the position shown in full lines to that indicatedby dash-lines in Fig. 17 when the rock-shaft 206 is turned by the cam266 during the initial operation of the wire-stitching head I5.Actuation of the arm I26 will rotate the reel I24 to wind the brake-bandI22 thereon and tighten it about the drum IZI on the shaft 26. Thefriction applied to the drum I2I by the brake-band I22 holds the shaft26 from moving freely so that the feed-rolls 24 will accurately spacethe stitches along the seam of the carton W. From the foregoingdescription it will be observed that the rock-shaft 266 is turned duringthe initial operation of the stitching head I5 and operates to move thefeed-rolls 24 and 25 toward each other, hold the feed-rolls connected tothe intermittently operating means to be driven thereby, withdraw thegauge from the path of movement of the work and apply the brake to thefeed-rolls. It also will be observed that the rock-shaft 266 is arrangedto be latched to retain it operative duringa stitching operation.

Control means for the wire-stitching means The stopping of the stitchingoperation is governed by the control shaft I5, previously referred to,which is operated in timed relation to the wire-stitching means. Thecontrol shaft I5 is journaled in bearings on the brackets II and I2supported from the platform 8 of the machine frame, see Fig. 1. Mountedon theinner end of the control shaft is a ratchet-wheel 235, see Fig. 2,positioned closely adjacent the crank-arm E2 of the oscillating memberI4. Mounted on the side of the crank-arm 72 of the oscillating member 13is a pawl 236 which overlies the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 235 and isyieldingly engaged therewith by means of a spring 237. A checkpawl 238rockably mounted on the bracket ll is engaged with the teeth of theratchet-wheel 235 by a spring 239 to hold the ratchet-wheel 235 betweenstrokes of the pawl 236. As the crankarm I2 of the oscillating member I4is reciprocated by the eccentric I6 and pitman ii the pawl 236 acts toindex the ratchet-Wheel 235 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFig. 2, through a distance of one tooth.

Rockably mounted on the control shaft I5 adjacent the ratchet-wheel 235is a release plate 240, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, havingcam-lobes 24I and 242 engageable with the pawls- 236 and 238 forreleasing them from engagement with the teeth on the ratchet-wheel 235.The

lobe 2 of the release plate 246 also acts as a support on which the pawl236 slides during part of its operative stroke to limit the advancementof the ratchet-wheel to one tooth only for each stitch applied. Therelease plate 246 is formed with an arm 243 projecting upwardly andconnected to a spring 244 anchored to the bracket II, see Fig. 15, whichacts to rock the release plate in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.2, to disengage the lobes MI and 242 from the pawls 236 and 238. Therelease plate 269 is also formed with 9. depending arm 245 connected toone end of a horizontal link 246. The opposite end of the link 246 isconnected to the upright arm 241 of a bell-crank lever 248, -shown inFig.-1'5, and the rearward end of the link constitutes a hunter forengaging the adjustable abutment I lI on the rookable frame I39. Theopposite horizontal arm 249 of the bell-crank lever' 248 is connected tothe plunger-armature 250 of an electromagnet 25I by means of a link 252.Energization of the electromagnet 25I will cause it to rock thebellcrank lever 248 to slide the link 266 and rock the frame I39 fromthe full line position to the dash-line position illustrated in Fig. 16.This ac tion will release the latching element I36 from engagement withthe pin I31 on the link I35, see Fig. 4, whereby the spring I36 willproject the plunger I29 into the clutch '29 to uncouple the fly-wheel IIfrom the drive-shaft I6. The frame I39, in turn, will rock thelatch-member20 9 to release the rock-shaft 266.v Simultaneously, thelink 246 will rock the release plate 246 to disengage the pawls 236 and238 from the teeth on the ratchet-Wheel 235. Thus the link 246 androckable frame I39 constitute a stopping means for arresting thestitching operation.

Keyed to the outer end of the control shaft I5 is a dial 255, see Figs.1 and 3, having an offset rim provided with a series of radial slots256, there being a slot corresponding to each tooth of the ratchet-wheel235 whereby the rotation of the control shaft I5 a distance of one toothby the oscillating member I4 will rotate the disk 255 an angulardistance corresponding to one slot on the dial. As the presentmachine-is adapted to apply any number of stitches from one tothirtysix, there are thirty-five radial slots 256 in the dial 255 withthe slots indicated by suitable indicia. The dial 255 also has an arm25! projecting radially beyond the periphery of the disk 255 between thefirst and thirty-fifth slots 256. Freely mounted for rotation on theouter end-of the control shaft I5 is a hub 258 having aradiallyextending flange 259 with a centrally disposed radial slot 260.An arm 26I positioned in the slot 266 is pivotallymounted for rockingmovement on a pin 262 extending across the slot. The arm 26I is adaptedto be rocked on the pin 262 into engagement with any one of the radialslots 256 in the dial 255 and is of such length as to adapt its end toproject radially beyond the periphery of the dial. The arm 26I isretained in the appropriate slot 256 into which it has been insertedmanually by any suitable detent-means and the hub 256 is retainedaxially in position on the shaft I5 by means of a collar 263 pinned tothe outer end of the shaft, see Fig. l. The ends of the arms 25! and 26Iare adapted to engage and actuate a switch-operating frame or lever 266rockably mounted ona stud 251. Lever 266 is so mounted on its pivot 261as to offer frictional resistance to movement whereby it will remain inthe position to which it is rocked. Mounted in a boss 268 on the lever266 isan adjustable abutment 269 herein illustrated in the form of aset-screw.

Adjacent the rockable lever 266 is an electric switch 210- located inposition to be engaged by the abutment 269 on the lever 266. The switch210'may be of any suitable construction but, as herein illustrated, isof the push-button type and mounted on a suitable bracket projectingfrom the bracket I2 supported fromthe platform 8.v As indicated in Fig.14, the switch 215 is in circuit with the electromagnet 25I andadaptedto close the circuit'wh'en engaged by the abutment 269 on thelever 266 and open the circuit when the arm is' moved away'from theswitch, It will be observed by reference to Fig. 14 that the motor I9 isconnected across the power line and that the power line is controlled bya main switch 21I and an auxiliary safety switch 212 as described indetail in my prior application referred to above.

Upon energization of the electromagnet 25I and release of the controlshaft 15 by the disengagement of the pawls 236 and 236 from theratchet-wheel 235 a clock-spring 213, see Fig. 3, will operate on thecontrol shaft to return it to initial position. The clock-spring 213isenclosed within the housing 214 and tensioned between itand thecontrol shaft 15, see Figs. 1 and 3. Upon return rotation of the controlshaft 15 under the operation of the spring 213 the projecting end of thearm 251, moving in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 will engagethe end of the rockable lever 266 to rock it to the position illustratedin full lines in Fig. 3 whereby to release the switch 210 and open thecircuit to the electromagnet 25I. To limit the returnmovement of thecontrol shaft 15 and prevent its rebound from intial position, aspring-pressed detent-lever 215 cooperates with a suitable detent on thecontrol shaft, not herein shown, in the manner illustrated and describedin my prior application referred to above. A preferred embodiment of theinvention having been described. in detail the mode of operation of thecomplete machine .is explained as follows:

Mode of operation At the beginning of-a stitching operation the motorI9, energized by the manual closing of the switch 21I in the power line,see Fig. 14, will drive the fly-wheel I1 by means of the belt I8 andthrough thechain 54 rotate the shaft 53, see Fig. 4. The clutch member51 being pressed by the spring 59 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1,to frictionally engage the clutch-disks -0 and the clutch-member 92being disengaged from the clutch-member 9|, the shaft 53 will drive theshafts 50 and 26 through the chain 56. Consequently, the work feed-rolls24- mounted on the shaft 26 will be rotated. at high speed and-.theshaft 50 driving through the universal coupling 63, shaft 62, gears66,61, shaft 64 and universal coupling 65 will drive the shaft 3I carryingthe lower pair of feed-rolls 25 whereby theupper and lower feed-rollsare rotated in synchron'ism.

To start the stitching operation a carton blank W is inserted betweenthe pairs of normally spaced feed-rolls 24 and 25 and is advancedthereby to engage its end with th e depending abutment I14 of thework-operated gauge I42, see Figs. 6 and 8. Upon engagement of the endof the carton-blank W with the abutment I14 the plate I45 of the gaugeI42 will be slid with respect to the fixed plate I43, thereby causingthe abutment I62 carried by the post I-Bflto engage the pivoted leverI65 and rock it frorn-the 'position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown inFig. 8. Rocking movement of the lever I65, in turn, will operate theplunger I55 of the switchI50 to close the circuit to the electromagnet95, see Figs. 12 and 14. Energizati-on of the, electromagnet. 95 willcause its armature 94 t0 act through the link 91, lever 93, link I00 andshifting fork I02, see Fig. 1, to slide the clutch-member 51 against theaction of the spring 59 to release the clutchdisks 59. Operation of theshiftingfork I02 will act through the connecting rod I04, bar I01 andspring II4 to cause the armIIZ, shaft I6.and

shifting fork I I0 to rock to yieldingly engage the clutchinember 92 tothe clutch-member 9|. Thus; the feed-rolls 24 and 25 will bedisconnectedifr'om the continuously operating driving meansand connectedto the intermittently operating-driving means to cause rapiddeceleration in the speed of the feed-rolls due to the engagement of thebrake-band with the clutch-housing 86.

Before the feed-rolls 24 and 25 come to rest. however, the slide I45 ofthe work-operated gauge.i|42 will have been moved to close the.

switch I5I as shown. in Fig. 12 to thereby energize the electromagnet.I33, see Fig. 4. Energization of the electromagnet I33 will cause itsarms.- ture I34 to operate through the link I35-and bell crank lever I3Ito Withdraw the pin I29 from the clutch '20 against the action of thespring I30. The pin I29 then will be latched in retracted position bythe latching member I36 on the rockableframe I39 engaging with the pinI31 on the link I35., Withdrawal of the pin I30 will cause the clutch 20to couple the fly-wheel I1 to the drive-shaft I6 for operating thestitching head During the first 90 of rotation of the driveshaft I6 forthe wire-stitching head I5 the cam 206 at the end of the shaft, see Fig.1, will rock thecrank-arm 204 and rock-shaft 200 to which itis; pinnedfrom the position shown in Fig. 15 to that shown in Fig. 16 where it islatched by thegengagement ofthe detent-shoulder 2II of the rockable.latch-member 209 withthe detent- --shoulder 212 of the member 2I3 on thearm 2I4.

During ,the rocking movement of the crank-arm 204 the set-screw abutment222 will rock the lever. 223 and through the link 225 and'crankarm 224will rock the shaft 35. Rocking movement of the shaft 35 carrying thearms 33 and 34 of the cradle supporting the lower pair of feedrolls 25will move them toward the upper pair of feed-rolls 24 to grip thecar-ton W firmly therebetween, see Fig. 16. Rocking movement of therockshaft 200 also will cause the arm 228 mounted thereon, see Fig. 6,to engage its beveled end 229 with the beveled camface I1I of the leverI65 to hold the latter against the plunger I55 of they switch I50 in theposition shown in Fig. 9'. The switch I50 thus will be closed and heldby the arm 228 and lever I65 to maintain the electromagnet energized andthereby maintain the intermittently operating means connected to drivethe feed-rolls 24 and 25. Simultaneously with the engagement of the arm228 with the lever I65 the arm I94 willbe rocked from the position shownin Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 9. The pin I96 carried by the arm I94will therefore raise the link I95 and frame I15 connected thereto towithdraw the abutment-plate I14 from the path of movement of thecarton-blank W. It is to be noted that the elongated slot I91 in thelink I95 will permit rocking movement of the arm 228 to engage the leverI65 for closing the switch I50 before the link I95 is raised to Withdrawthe abutment-plate I14. During the withdrawal of the abutment-plate I14the bottom face of the stripper-block I81 engages thework to prevent itfrom moving upwardly with the abutment as the latter moves intothe slotI9 I.

Rocking movement of the rock-shaft 200 also will rock the crank-arm 230,see Figs. 5 and 17, and by means of the set-screw abutment 23I at itsend will actuate the arm I26 to .rotate the reel I24. Rotation of thereel I24 will tighten the brake-band I22 on the drum I2I at the end ofthe shaft 26 carrying the feed-rolls 24.

Thus the brake-band I22 will apply frictional resistance to the rotationof the shaft 26 to control the rotation of the feed-rolls as they feedthe carton-blank W through predetermined increments of movement betweenstitches as controlled by the intermittently operating driving means. Asa result, a more accurate spacing of the stitches along the seam may beobtained as the brake eliminates back-lash due to wear of 'the parts.The feed-rolls 24 and 25 thus are (10 automatically controlled to gripthe work firmly and the abutment-plate I14 of the gauge I42 is withdrawnto condition the machine for a stitching operation.

During the first half revolution of the drive-1 shaft I 6 the stitchinghead I will be operated to apply the first stitch to the work W and thecocentric 10 will drive the pitman 1i through its forward stroke, seeFigs. 1 and 2. Operation of the pitman 'iI through a forward strokewill-'- actuate the oscillating members 14 and 16 through a forwardstroke, and the latter operating through the crankarm 85 and link 83,see Fig. 2, will operate the one-way clutch 82 through an idle stroke.oscillating member 14 the pawl 236 will ride on the lobe 24! of therelease plate 240 for a portion of its stroke and thereafter will engagea tooth of the ratchet-wheel 235 to rotate the control shaft through anangular distance of one tooth for the remainder of the stroke. Duringthe pitman 1I will be moved through a return stroke and thereby willrock the oscillating member 14 through its return stroke. The motion ofthe oscillating members 14 and TIE-thus will be transmitted through thecrank-arm 96, link 83, one-way clutch 82, shaft 81, clutch-members 9|,92, see Fig. 1, gears 61, 66, shafts 62, 64, couplingrods 63, 65, andshafts 50, 26 and 3| connected thereto, to rotate the feed-rolls 24 and25 and advance the work a distance equal to the required spacing betweenstitches. During the cycle of operation explained above, the key 11 ispresumed to be in the position indicated in Fig. 2 to connect theoscillating members 14 and 16, but it will be understood that when atie-stitch is desired the key will be rocked to release the oscillatingmembers whereby one of them will be driven from the other withlost-motion to ad- Vance the work a reduced increment of movement.Similar tie-stitch mechanism is illustrated and described in detail inmy prior application referred to above and therefore does not requirefurther explanation herein.

The driveshaft I6 will be continuously operated to apply stitches oneafter the other and the work-feeding means will operate intermittentlyafter the application of each stitch to advance the work predeterminedincrements of movement between the stitches. During the stitchingoperation the control shaft 15 will be turned an angular distancecorresponding to the width of a tooth on the ratchet-wheel 235 until thearm 26! on the dial 255, see Fig. 3, will have engaged the pivoted lever266, the arm having been set in the proper notch 256 to apply thedesired number of stitches. Engagement of the arm 26! with the lever 266will cause the latter to be rocked from the position shown in full linesto that indicated by dash-lines in Fig. 3. Thereupon, the abutment 269on the lever 256 will engage the push-button on the switch 210, see Fig.14, and close the circuit to the -electromagnet -2-5-I. The armature 250of the electro- During the forward stroke of the".

the second half revolution of the drive-shaft I6 'magnet 25I then willoperate through the link 252 to rock the bell-crank lever 248 from theposition shown in full lines to that indicated by dash-lines in Fig. 16.The end of the link 246 connected to the arm 241 of the bell-crank 248will thus be caused to engage the adjustable setscrew abutment I4I onthe rockable frame I39 to rock the latter in counterclockwise directionas viewed in Fig. 16. This rocking movement of the frame I39 will causethe latch-member I36 to release the pin I31 carried by the link I35, seeFig. 4, whereby the spring I30 will project the pin I29 into the clutch20 to uncouple the fly-wheel I1 from the drive-shaft l6 at thecompletion of the cycle of operation of the stitching head I5 to applythe last stitch.

Rocking movement of the frame I39 also will cause its flange 220 toengage the set-screw abutment 2I9 on the latch-member 209 to rock thelatter from the position shown in full lines to that indicated bydash-lines in Fig. 16 to release the latch-member 2I3 on the arm 2I4.Due to the profile and arrangement of the spiral cam 206 its high pointwill be engaged with the follower-roller 205 when the last stitch isbeing applied, thereby acting to relieve the contact of thedetent-shoulders 2H and 2I2 so that the latch-member 209 may be rockedreadily to release the latch-member 2 I 3. The spring 201 then willoperate to rock the crank-arm 204 as the roller 205 rides on from thehigh point of the cam 206 to rock the rock-shaft 200 in clockwisedirection from the position shown in Fig. 16 to that shown in Fig. 15.This rocking movement of the rock-shaft 200 to the position illustratedin Fig. 6 will release the lever I65 to be actuated by the spring I60 torelease the plunger I55 of the switch I50. The plunger I55 of the switchI thus will be operated by the spring I56 to open the circuit to theelectromagnet 95. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet 95 the spring59 will shift the clutch-member 51 toward the clutch-member tofrictionally engage the clutch-disks 58. Movement of the shifting forkI02 by the clutch-member 51 will be transmitted through the connectingrod I04 to cause the roller I09 to engage the abutment II3 on the armII2 to rock the shaft I06 and shifting fork I I0 to disengage theclutch-member 92 from the clutch-member 9I. Thus, the intermittentlyvoperating driving means will be disconnected from the feed-rolls 24 and.25 and the continuously operating driving means will be connectedthereto through the clutch-disks 50. The feed-rolls 24 and 25 then willbe driven at high speed to discharge the stitched carton from themachine and advance the next carton-blank into position to be stitched.

Simultaneously with the release of the lever I and switch I50 the armI94 will be rocked in counterclockwise direction from the position shownin Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 6 to release the frame [-15 which willdrop by gravity against the action of the relatively weak spring I99 tolower the abutment I14. The abutment I14 then will ride 'on the tail endof the stitched cartonblank W as it is discharged from the machine asindicated in Fig. 10 in position to be engaged by the forward end of thenext carton W to be stitched. Due to the relatively long length of thepivoted frame I15 the abutment I14 will move substantially vertically'sothat no appreciable space need occur between the stitched carton and thenext carton-blank to be stitched. :The stitched :carton W compressed bythe stitching operation. so that it will be thinner than the newcarton-blank being fed downward, insuring that the forward edge of thelatter will engage the abutment-plate when it is positioned closelyadjacent the rearward edge of the stitched carton, see Fig. 10. I

Rocking movement of the rock-shaft 200 as explained above will swing thearm 230 away from the arm I26 to release the brake-band I22 from itsengagement with the brake-drum I2I to permit the feed-rolls 24 and 25 torotate freely at high speed.

Simultaneouslyywith the operation of the rockable frame I39 thebell-crank lever 248 operating through the link 245 will rock therelease-plate 240 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2,against the action of the spring 244, see Fig. 15. Rocking movement ofthe release-plate .240 will cause its lobes 2 and 242 to engage controlshaft as 'ekplained more fully in my application referred-to above. Atthe end of the return movement of the control shaft the projecting endof the arm 251 on the dial 255 will engage the lever 265 and rock itfrom the position indicated by dash-lines to the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 3. A complete cycle of operation of the machine, as aboveexplained, is again initiated by merely inserting another cartonblank Winto the machine. The machine may be adjusted to applyany predeterminednumber of stitches by merely turning the hub 258 on the control shaft 15and rocking the arm 26l' into engagement with the proper slot 256 asindicated by suitable indicia.

It has been determined that with certain types of carton-blanks W theforward edges of the folded sides may be squared or, in other words,alined with the forward edge of the body-portion of the blank byloosening the bottom feedrolls for free rotation on their shaft 3|. Mostof the carton-blanks W, especially those of large size and heavy stock,can be squared only within definite limits. .In such cases it isdesirable to have both the upper and lower feed-rolls positively driven.With certain other very common loose on the shaft 3|.

The reason for the squaring of the folded sides 'with respect to thebody-portion of the blank is not readily understood, but it is believedthat the squaring is due to relative movement between the 'upper andlower feed-rolls ,24 and 25. For ex ample, when the folded sides of acarton-blank are skewed rearwardly with respect to the bodyportion asindicated in Figs. 19 and 20 the forward edge of the body portion of thecarton-blank W will engage the abutment I14 of the gauge I42 'first. Ithas been demonstrated that the posi- 75 tively driven upper feed-rolls24 then will .'operate to feed the folded sides of the blankforwardlyrelative to its body-portion which is held by the abutment I14 of thegauge I42 until the forward ward edges of the folded sidesof the blankWill engage the abutment I14 of the gauge I42 first and, beingpositively driven will act, to positively shift the abutment forwardly.Upon .operation of the switch I the continuously. operating drivingmeans will be disconnected from the feed rolls 24 and the intermittentlyoperating driving meanswill be connected thereto which will act todecelerate the, rotation of the upper feed-rolls 24. The lowerfeed-rolls 25, however, are free to rotate and it is considered that dueto their momentum and the momentum of the body-portion of thecarton-blank the latter will-move forwardly with respect to thefoldedsides until its edge engages the abutment whereby its forward edge willaline with the forward edges of the folded sides as indicated in Figs.25 and 26. Whatever the reason for the squaring action, it resultsundoubtedly from the free rotation of the lower feed-rolls 25 on theshaft3l and will not take place if. the upper feed-rolls 24 are loose onthe shaft 26 and the lower feed-rolls 25 are fast on theshaft3l. I

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the presentinventionprovidesa machine for stitching the seams of carton-blanks orsimilar work with the work fed against the depending abutment'of amovable gauge, to initiate a stitching operation and then fedintermittently to space the stitches along the seam. It will be observedfurther that the present invention provides for lightly gripping thework as it is fed to and discharged from'the machine and firmly grippingthe work during a stitching operation. Moreover, it is to be noted thatthe present invention provides a novel form of abutment-plate foroperating the gauge, with the plate movable substantially vertically toinsure the initiation of a stitching operation when a carton-blank isfed into position closely adjacent the one being stitched. It will beobserved still further that the prevent back-lash or overrunning of thefeedrolls. In addition, the present invention provides a constructionand arrangement of elements which operate to square the edges of thefolded sides of a carton-blank with the forward edge of the body-portionthereof when the sides become skewed out of alinement.

While a preferred form of the machine is herein shown and described, byway of illustration, it is to be understood that modifications may bemade in the construction and arrangement of its parts without departingfromthe spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitingmyself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a machine of the type indicated, wire-

